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Tune Inn — The bar at the Tune Inn on Capitol Hill

Where to Drink Solo on Valentine’s Day in D.C.

15 dive-y places free of sappy nonsense

by Eater Staff Updated Feb 11, 2020, 12:02pm EST

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The bar at the Tune Inn on Capitol Hill

| Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images

by Eater Staff Updated Feb 11, 2020, 12:02pm EST

Dining at a fancy restaurant on Valentine's Day isn't for everyone. Some people — especially singles — might prefer the familiar feel of a dive-y place full of regulars who may or may not need to engage in drinking conversation. Cheap booze flows all night at these low-key watering holes, and visitors shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to secure a seat.

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Quarry House Tavern

This iconic Silver Spring basement bar is covered in wood and devoid of natural light. Spin a favorite song on the vintage jukebox, grab an essential burger and a cold beer, and let the chaos of the day fade away.

8401 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910

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Lyman's Tavern

Belly up to the bar at Lyman’s for frosty pints of cut-rate beer, free popcorn, and fully dressed hot dogs. Got money to burn? Hit the pinball machines in back.

3720 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

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Pinball and arcade games at Lyman’s Tavern

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Atomic Billiards

Head underground and get a Valentine’s Day distraction with pool, darts, shuffleboard and one of the city’s best classic jukeboxes. Come on a full stomach though — the only food offered here comes in a bag of chips.

3427 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

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12 D.C. Bars With Pool Tables

DC Reynolds

Time is running out to knock back buy-one-get-one happy hour drinks at this no-frills Petworth hangout. The bar announced it will close in April 2020 after eight years of businesses. Pair rounds of drinks with a spicy grilled chicken or crispy pork belly sandwich, or maybe a plate of black bean dip or fries.

3628 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010

Also featured in:

Where to Eat and Drink in Petworth

Raven Grill

Mount Pleasant's Raven Grill — it doesn't actually serve food — is one of the oldest bars in D.C. It's cheap, and its jukebox is well-worn.

3125 Mount Pleasant St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

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Breadsoda Bar, Deli & Billiards

Grab a group of friends for shuffleboard, pool, and board games at this Glover Park basement bar. The kitchen has a broad selection of hot and cold sandwiches along with soups and appetizers like hummus and charcuterie. Craft beers and cocktails come at fair prices, especially during happy hour.

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2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

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Last Call

Gina Chersevani knows a thing or two about mixing cocktails, and she channels that into a New Orleans vibe at this garage-themed hangout. Beer and rail drinks are cheap, as is the draft old fashioned ($6). For something fancier, try the Erin Rose, a frozen iced coffee made with a Green Chartreuse float.

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1301 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

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The bar and tables at Last Call

Also featured in:

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Recessions

The underground location is only part of the appeal of this after-work spot downtown. There’s also the carpet, the karaoke, the happy hour, and the puzzling decor. Happy hour specials include $4 rail drinks, 28-ounce “King Kong” drafts for $5, and $5 appetizers.

1823 L St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

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Jimmy Valentine's

Come here for outlandishly goth decor, the trippy decor, and an endless supply of PBR tallboys.

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1103 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

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Jimmy Valentine's DC bar

Post Pub

Go to this dark, dank bar adjacent to the site of the former Washington Post building (now the sparkling, mixed-use Midtown Center) for domestic drafts and bacon and cheese “Diplomat” burgers under $10. — Gabe Hiatt

1422 L St NW, Washington, DC 20005

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A look at the Post Pub as the Washington Post prepares to move to a new building in Washington, DC.

Stan's

Regulars have been enjoying stiff drinks — think pint glasses full of liquor flanked by mini-carafes of mixers — at Stan’s for decades.

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1029 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

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The Pug

Valentine’s Day. Arbor Day. Judgement Day. It’s all the same to Atlas District standby the Pug. There’s beer, liquor, and some snacks in the vending machines.

1234 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

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Union Trust

Centrally located to downtown D.C., this hard-to-spot bar is a collaboration between Pug owner Tony Tomelden and Solly’s owner John Solomon. Expect cold beer, a cocktail on tap, and no food.

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740 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

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Galaxy Hut

This Arlington mainstay is home to draft beers, assorted grilled cheese sandwiches, tater tots, and local music.

2711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

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People have a grand time at Galaxy Hut in Arlington, VA on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010.

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Tune Inn

This bar got a little cleaner and a little classier after a post-fire renovation, but there's still taxidermy decorations, cheap beer and all-day breakfast.

331 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

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Tune Inn

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Quarry House Tavern

8401 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910

This iconic Silver Spring basement bar is covered in wood and devoid of natural light. Spin a favorite song on the vintage jukebox, grab an essential burger and a cold beer, and let the chaos of the day fade away.

8401 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Visit Website

Lyman's Tavern

3720 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Belly up to the bar at Lyman’s for frosty pints of cut-rate beer, free popcorn, and fully dressed hot dogs. Got money to burn? Hit the pinball machines in back.

3720 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Visit Website

Pinball and arcade games at Lyman’s Tavern

Atomic Billiards

3427 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Head underground and get a Valentine’s Day distraction with pool, darts, shuffleboard and one of the city’s best classic jukeboxes. Come on a full stomach though — the only food offered here comes in a bag of chips.

3427 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Visit Website

DC Reynolds

3628 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010

Time is running out to knock back buy-one-get-one happy hour drinks at this no-frills Petworth hangout. The bar announced it will close in April 2020 after eight years of businesses. Pair rounds of drinks with a spicy grilled chicken or crispy pork belly sandwich, or maybe a plate of black bean dip or fries.

3628 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010

Raven Grill

3125 Mount Pleasant St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Mount Pleasant's Raven Grill — it doesn't actually serve food — is one of the oldest bars in D.C. It's cheap, and its jukebox is well-worn.

3125 Mount Pleasant St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Visit Website

Breadsoda Bar, Deli & Billiards

2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Grab a group of friends for shuffleboard, pool, and board games at this Glover Park basement bar. The kitchen has a broad selection of hot and cold sandwiches along with soups and appetizers like hummus and charcuterie. Craft beers and cocktails come at fair prices, especially during happy hour.

Open in Google Maps

2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Visit Website

Last Call

1301 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Gina Chersevani knows a thing or two about mixing cocktails, and she channels that into a New Orleans vibe at this garage-themed hangout. Beer and rail drinks are cheap, as is the draft old fashioned ($6). For something fancier, try the Erin Rose, a frozen iced coffee made with a Green Chartreuse float.

Open in Google Maps

1301 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Visit Website

The bar and tables at Last Call

Recessions

1823 L St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

The underground location is only part of the appeal of this after-work spot downtown. There’s also the carpet, the karaoke, the happy hour, and the puzzling decor. Happy hour specials include $4 rail drinks, 28-ounce “King Kong” drafts for $5, and $5 appetizers.

1823 L St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Visit Website

Jimmy Valentine's

1103 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Come here for outlandishly goth decor, the trippy decor, and an endless supply of PBR tallboys.

Open in Google Maps

1103 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Jimmy Valentine's DC bar

Post Pub

1422 L St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Go to this dark, dank bar adjacent to the site of the former Washington Post building (now the sparkling, mixed-use Midtown Center) for domestic drafts and bacon and cheese “Diplomat” burgers under $10. — Gabe Hiatt

1422 L St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Visit Website

A look at the Post Pub as the Washington Post prepares to move to a new building in Washington, DC.

Stan's

1029 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Regulars have been enjoying stiff drinks — think pint glasses full of liquor flanked by mini-carafes of mixers — at Stan’s for decades.

Open in Google Maps

1029 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Visit Website

The Pug

1234 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Valentine’s Day. Arbor Day. Judgement Day. It’s all the same to Atlas District standby the Pug. There’s beer, liquor, and some snacks in the vending machines.

1234 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Union Trust

740 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Centrally located to downtown D.C., this hard-to-spot bar is a collaboration between Pug owner Tony Tomelden and Solly’s owner John Solomon. Expect cold beer, a cocktail on tap, and no food.

Open in Google Maps

740 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Visit Website

Galaxy Hut

2711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

This Arlington mainstay is home to draft beers, assorted grilled cheese sandwiches, tater tots, and local music.

2711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Visit Website

People have a grand time at Galaxy Hut in Arlington, VA on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010.

Tune Inn

331 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

This bar got a little cleaner and a little classier after a post-fire renovation, but there's still taxidermy decorations, cheap beer and all-day breakfast.

331 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Visit Website

Tune Inn

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